Bodog Beat

A.J. McLean (second from left) is pulling a Justin Timberlake. (Courtesy of joeltelling at Flickr.com)

Try to contain your excitement. A.J. McLean, the bearded badass from the Backstreet Boys, is launching a solo career! Oh no he di'ent!

People magazine reports that the ex-boy bander put tickets for two sneak-preview concerts this Sunday and Monday on sale today. McLean will be playing the House of Blues in Anaheim, Calif., first and then at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip the following night.

"After 13 years with the Backstreet Boys, and 75 million record sold worldwide, A.J.'s excited to take a step out on his own and present his music, in his style," manager Eric Podwall told People. "He's excited to connect to his fans on a one-on-one basis at smaller venues - something you can't do in large arenas - and to give them a taste of some of the music that will appear on his first solo record later this year."

According to the magazine, McLean's debut album will drop later this year and will include songs called "What If," "I Hate It When You're Gone," "London" and… wait for it, folks, "Drive-By Love." Sounds like a winner!

Just because McLean is embarking on a solo career doesn't mean that die-hard Backstreet Boys fans must fear, according to People, McLean plans on recording an another album with the Boys next year.

Want to hear music that doesn't suck? Head to Bodog Music to listen to some real artists rock!